gratification
(grætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən)
[ad. (directly or through F. gratification) L. grātificātiōn-em, n. of action f. grātificārī to gratify.]
1. The action of gratifying, or the fact of being gratified: a. Requital, satisfaction; the giving of pleasure, the doing of a favour.
| 1598 Florio, Gratificatione, a gratification. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 434 They..called for him againe, not so much by way of gratification and to do him a pleasure, but [etc.]. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xvi. §37 (1614) 601 To make himselfe one of the greatest of England, by this gratification of the French, with his Masters charge and dishonour. 1633 T. Morton Disch. Imput. 233 They, who masque the visages of Sins with the vizard of Virtues; calling Drunkennesse Good-fellowship..Bribery gratification. a 1862 Buckle Civiliz. (1873) III. v. 308 Men, in the pursuit of wealth, consider their own gratification oftener than the gratification of others. |
† b. Expression of pleasure or satisfaction; congratulation. c. Thanksgiving. Obs.
| 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. 306 Whereupon she sent an upper gown of cloth of gold very rich..with a letter of gratification. 1620 Shelton Quix. iv. x, Many other Words of Compliment and Gratification pass'd between Don Quixote and Don Ferdinando. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 363 The..whole multitude..with hymns and gratifications [Fr. actions de grâces]. |
d. The satisfaction or indulgence of, or compliance with (a feeling, desire, etc.).
| 1669 Stillingfl. Serm. v. (1673) 85 The pleasure of humane life lies in the gratifications of the senses. 1736 Butler Anal. i. iii. Wks. 1874 I. 54 The gratification itself of every natural passion must be attended with delight. 1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I. ii. vi. 292 Little advantage seems to have been obtained, beyond the gratification of hatred. 1809 W. Irving Knickerb. iv. v. (1849) 221 Nothing so soon awakens the malevolent passions as the facility of gratification. 1860 Mill Repr. Govt. (1865) 50/1 The gratification of his love of domineering. |
2. The state of being gratified or pleased; enjoyment, satisfaction, pleasurable feeling.
| 1712 Steele Spect. No. 454 ¶7 If they could learn with me to keep their minds open to Gratification, and ready to receive it from any thing it meets with. 1713 Berkeley Guardian No. 55 ¶10 A natural gratification attends good actions. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 152 Gratification is of the mind when receiving wisdom and knowledge, but pleasure is of the body. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serm. vii. (1877) 148 A compassionate person derives a true gratification from the exercise of his affection. |
b. with a and pl. An instance of this; a thing that gratifies or pleases; a source of pleasure or satisfaction.
| 1711 Steele Spect. No. 151 ¶4 He little knows the perfect Joy he loses, for the disappointing Gratifications which he pursues. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 80 ¶3 That insatiable demand of new gratifications, which seems..to characterize the nature of man. 1798 W. Blair Soldier's Friend 92 The use of butcher's meat..or fermented liquors, and all those gratifications that are so agreeable to idle people. 1859 W. Anderson Discourses (1860) 97 By the ‘things on earth’ are denoted the gratifications of sense. |
3. Something given to gain favour, or as a recompense for anything done or to be done; a reward, recompense, gratuity; in bad sense, a bribe.
| 1576 Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1848) II. 27 The said Mr. Alex{supr}. procuris for thame in all thair actionis and caussis..without gratificatioun and recompensatioun, frelie on his awin expenssis. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 367 The Lioness requited the same with such gratification as lay in her power, for she brought him very many sheep-skins to clothe and cover him. 1624 Impeachm. Dk. Buckhm. (Camden) 87 Giveing the gratification of twoe thowsand poundes. 1642 Rogers Naaman 382 All who went unto them for advice, offered them a gratification. 1751 Smollett Per. Pic. (1779) I. xxvii. 244 She would not bestow upon him any pecuniary gratification. 1828 I. R. Best Italy 372 A presentation to the Pope costs about forty shillings in gratifications to the servants of the household. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 65 Six thousand guineas was the smallest gratification that could be offered to so important a minister. |
b. Mil. (See quot.) Cf. gratuity 3.
| 1802 C. James Milit. Dict. s.v., In the Royal Artillery, gratifications, or voluntary subscriptions for the relief and support of the wives of deceased officers, are conducted on the most liberal plan..Gratification likewise means a certain allowance in money which is made to prisoners of war. |
† 4. A concession. Obs. rare.
| 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. ii. vii. 187, I am no way satisfied with this Gratification of that Author to the Præ-Adamitæ. |
† 5. A term of uncertain meaning, formerly in use in the colony of Massachusetts; also attrib., gratification lot. Obs.
| 1637 Rec. Dedham, Mass. (1892) III. 33 That Lott wch John Dwite hath layd out for a freind in grateficacion. 1638 Ibid. 45 Assigned vnto Jno. Dwite..6 acres at the lower end of the greate medowe next ye River in pte of his grateficacion Lott. 1640 Ibid. 74 Graunted to John Dwite Twelue acres of planting grownd to make up his grateficacion Lott. |